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CHICAGO (CBS) ― We asked viewers what you think of Chicago Police Officer Anthony Abbate's probation sentence for the videotaped beating of a female bartender. Here are your responses:

despicable....outrageous our judicial system fails miserably...again. he is an animal..and should go to prison. judge and defense lawyers are not for justice --Michael Mosconi

If it would have been you or me, we would have never gotten out of jail. The judge who passed down this sentence should probably be in jail himself. They help each other. I don't know what judge and prosecuter were looking at, should be in jail!! --Gregory Greene

No. Regardless of what is asserted about what the law provides, I do not believe that someone other than a police officer would have walked away without jail time. This leaves me with the impression that the judiciary is not operating independently from the urban political power establishment. One back is scratching another. I am very interested to hear whether Abbate eventually works again in a position similar or related to police enforcement 'after the heat is off'. I hope you news people follow up on this one. --Sam Katz

Truly a miscarriage of justice, but weel within the expected response of the court to protect corruption in city. Since he also blatantly lied to the judge where is the punishment for lying. And we wonder why we have a culture of violence? --Charles Miller

Ridiculous...this is a perfect time for us to note Cook County Criminal Court Judge John Fleming and make sure he is removed next time we vote for judges. --Dan Sands

Cook County Criminal Court Judge John Fleming should be watched by the voters and voted out. His sentence did not fit the crime Abbate inflicted. Shame on Judge John Fleming. --db

The Chicago Chapter of the National Organization for Women does NOT accept this sentence. If you would like to get involved with Chicago NOW and make sure that Anthony Abbate is fired, please visit http://chicagonow.wordpress.com/ --Eyress

I find the utterly ridiculous. I am a victim of past domestic violence and my ex husband was incarcerated for 2 years. But of course Police are above the law, no matter what they do. I am deeply disappointed. Especially for the woman in this case. --Gina Colon

Even though it seems like a "slap on the wrist", as a convicted felon he loses his priviledge to carry a firearm and badge so I'm satisfied. --Joseph Cunningham

I didn't see a picture of the other villian Judge Fleming so evryone can reconize a paid political patronage scum bag that everyone can also see him on the street. Ajury trial would have produced a totally different result .If I had commited such a crime I wouldn't be out this whole time and I average joe would have been in jail from the start . Her lawer should have had a jury trial from the start .Jody W this is not behind us JERK !!! This woman was rip of by the judge the lawer the cop and Jody W. --Brian Clarke

I think our Chicago courts need to be audited. The sentence was a disgust to out judicial system. After the evidence of his repulsive actions caught on tape I can't believe all he received was 3 years probation. I believe the sentence was decided on the fact that he was a white cop. If he was black and\or not a police office he would have received the maximum sentence. Just for the record I'm a 47 year old white female. My heart goes out to the bartender that was not only assaulted once in the beating, but twice because of the outcome of the sentence. --Linda Zweisler

typical typical chicago cops they GET AWAY with everything!! put him behind bars before he does it again! --Gil

And people wonder why nobody trusts the police anymore. He should be locked up. I'm sure he'll be very popular with his fellow inmates, if you know what I'm saying. --Duanne

Ridiculous!!!!! That's why the cops felt like they could get away with their action in the first place. --Enola

This story was made into news because the man who hit the bartender was a police officer and the bartender was a woman. Please remember that this man was OFF DUTY and he was NOT acting on behalf of the Chicago PD. He acted as and should be judged as a civilian; as anybody else in Chicago would have been judged. The sentence he received is what anybody else in Cook County would have received for a first offense. You can rape, pillage and kill people in Cook County and not go to jail for a first offense. And let's not make this bartender into an innocent victim. She's a bartender who has a smart mouth and she ticked someone off. She threw the first punch, and as my mother always said, "If you touch first, you get what you deserve. So keep your hands to yourself." Abbate reacted badly, but not as a cop. He was not different than any other drunk in a bar who was served too much by the bartender. Domestic abuse is truly criminal, but until the media makes everyone who beats a woman into a world-wide story, and acts horrified that they all aren't jailed and moan when they don't lose their jobs; then they are doing a disservice to every abused woman who didn't get retribution in a global arena and to every police officer who does have honor and integrity on and off the job. --Roberta

I was shocked to hear that this moron got off with no prison time. If he was in a different line of work, he whouldn't have had a chance. Because he is a cop and above the law. There's enough stupidity to go around on this whole thing. First, this "cop" is out slopping down the sauce and acting like a total assh***. Aren't cops, whether on or off duty held to a higher standard? So this behavior is completly WRONG!!! If I was this bartender and ran into a drunken creep like this I'd refuse service too if for no other reason but to cover my own hide because he especially is so not worth going to jail for. The judge is a complete dipspit. Abbate's lawyer calling it self defense must be on drugs. I don't care if she got physical first, this guy was twice her size and just hours before spouting off about his muscles. One last thing to Jay Levine, if you think Abbate recieved a harsh sentence then let's see how you would feel if a female family member of yours get clobbered by some big stupid drunken clod. --Karen H.



This is Chicago. This is the city government. This is the police management group. Of course, he got off. This is a great example of why the City of Chicago should be abandoned and left to rot. --Matt

The cop walking is just the latest in a drop in the bucket compared to how the "City that Works" doesn't for its citizens. What's new? - R Green

If he were a civilian he would have received jail time. This shows why cops think they are above the law.  - Vanessa Wilson

Cops, Judges, politicians, bond together and take care of their own. Its up to the bartenders to keep this fat idiot out of their bar, and not serve him, this way he can be arrested for a second attempt and maybe then the judge will get it right. - John Rambo

Who higher up owed him a favor? So much for our court system in Cook County....now don't we all feel safer!  - Noreen McAndrew

Does Judge Fleming need glasses? If this was his wife or daughter, would he judge the same way? Does he have to cripple her before he gets thrown in jail? Fleming your on your way out. - Dolores

I think this was a horribly unjust sentence. Police officers should be held to even higher standards than regular civilians. - Adam Rullo

Don't be mad at the police officer given a light verdit get even by not re-electing Judge John Flemming! Write his name down and when he's up for re-election tell everyone you know not to vote for him and make sure you don't vote for him!  - Nancy Horan

The sentence is appalling! I would like to know if Judge Fleming is an elected judge as I will remember the name in the voting booth! - Beth

How absolutely disgusting this sentence was. Every time I see the video I cringe with the knowledge how wrong "justice" was in this well publicized case... - Sherrill J. Owens

This is an outrage! A large officer beating a tiny woman and drunk to boot. Is drinking now a defense? Aren't officers supposed to be held to a higher standard because of their status and training? I was beaten by Cook County Sheriff Sgt. Anthony Salemi. In retaliation for suing the Sheriff and complaining about violation of civil rights, he falsified his records and said I kicked him in the chest like a ninja (with my partially paralyzed leg from a wheelchair) and rammed him with my wheelchair skinning his shin (with my broken w/c and congenitally weak arms, while I was severely dehyrated and ill). Sgt. Salemi then committed perjury and with the help of Nifong like prosecutorial misconduct from ASAs Dalkin and Maher and judicial misconduct, biasing the jury I was wrongfully convicted. I have no record! I am a non-violent pacifist! Yet I was sentenced to two years in prison!! Where is equal justice?! My conviction is sure to be shortly overturned. Then I will go after Sgt. Salemi and other corrupt staff including Sheriff Dart in the mother of all civil suits. I hope the bartender wipes out Abbate in a civil suit. Why don't the feds charge him with felony violation of civil rights or something like that? Judges in C[r]ook County are in the pocket of the police. Jody Weis has done nothing. CPD Ofcs beat me up and I have pictures and their investigators covered it up. Supt. Weis, don't you want to talk with me? I guess citizens are going to have to take such cases into their own hands, as the police and courts just rubber stamp police violence and corruption. - Dr. Linda Shelton

The judge should be put under a jail, I know he will never get my vote, what this says to cop slap any woman, I pray I never have to fight a cop. - Willie Mae Benard

This is wrong in so many ways and it makes me so mad that nothing will be done about. The police can drink and beat people and nothing happens a regular guy does the same thing and it's five years easy. I'm telling everyone I know to e-mail the Olympic Committe and tell them that we can't have them in Chicago because of this. Send them a link to the video and this story and tell them don't come, you'll be sorry because this is how people are treated in this city. Maybe someone will listen then. - Joe

This is Chicago, IL where all corupe cops can continue to beat and kill innocent people, but for this huge dude to say this woman beat him, shame on him. I'm a firm believer that GOD DOESN'T LIKE UGLY & WHAT GOES AROUND WILL MOST DEFINITELY COME BACK AROUND. - Citizen

This is a prime example why people do not respect the police. But his behavior make me wonder, if he can beat up a female bartender, he is probably beating up his wife. - David J. Taylor

This enrages me to no end. Chicago PD is above the law, I don't care if she hit him with a chair he literally tossed her into the bar and started punching her in the head. NO MAN should hit a woman regardless of size difference and this case is apalling to say the least. With the shear size of this guy compared to the tiny bartender the judge should have at least thrown him behind bars to think about what he did. This is why I want to carry a handgun, if this guy were to ever try and become violent with me I would warn him once then fire, shear size alone could cripple the opposition let alone a 125lb woman, he could have killed her and the judge slapped him on the wrist and put him in the corner like a bad kid. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF NOT NORMAL WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, IF A COP IS CHARGED AND FOUND GUILTY THEY SHOULD GET THE ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM NO EXCEPTIONS. How are we as Chicagoans supposed to abide by the law when the cops don't and when they are caught, they get nothing, now if I were to hit a woman and have it on tape I bet judge would have made an example out of me. SCREW CHICAGO and SCREW the justice system, corrupt, corrupt, corrupt. - B.L.

City of Chicago police officer that was too harsh of a sentence. - Steven

I guess if your a police officer you can do whatever you want and get away with it. Had it been someone else they would had got prison time for sure. - Hugo

This is wrong and criminal. The man should be behind bars! Police officers in Chicago get away with murder which is why they are NOT respected and face so much animosity. I don't trust or respect CPD. - Nese

I think its awful that this man brutally beat this woman, it was caught on tape and was able to walk away with a slap on the wrist. This was another blow to head for this woman! Chicago protects its police officers. - L 

I am outraged at 2 years probation for ABATE!!! He could have killed that poor girl. Is this someone CPD wants working for them?? I hope not!! - J

NO JAIL TIME? What if Abbate was the bartender and the girl was the cop, can anybody imagine the sentance being the same? - Daniel

It just shows that a cop who happens to be a thug can do whatever and don't have to worry about jail time because some thug protecting Judge will protect him. - Bill Lawson

What a joke, you know if it were you or I, we'd be in jail for ten years. what a man, beats the crap out of a woman. - Jman

He's "too big to fail". Dirty cops are a menace and he got of too easy. This corrupt scheme has prompted me to move my family to the Rocky Mountain States where justice seems less corrupt So long! - Jeff Pecka

Judge, if someone had beat the crap out of your sister/mother/daughter/wife, you would want that person jailed for a long time. How dare you give that BEAST probation and community service. KUDOS to Superintendent Jody Weis, that beast should be FIRED. And to the victim, SUE his *** for everything he got and what he might get. My heart goes out to you, stay prayerful and faithful, God will bring you through it. God Bless You. - Bev Murphy

What a shame. Sentenced to probation does Not fit the crime. His actions against this woman were Not justified. He should lose his job immediately,no pay no benefits. Maximum jail time would have been the appropiate sentence & the right message. Drinking is No excuse for his deplorable actions.Him acting in self defense -what a joke. He is a disgrace to the CPD ,all the law abiding Police Officers that put their lives on the line each day to make our neighborhoods a safer place.What a disgrace to Our Great City & to all Italian Americans.I am very sorry for the trauma this thug has caused this woman,her family & friends. - Pete

It's absolutely appalling that this oaf did not get even a minimal prison sentence. Judge Fleming: The purpose of Abbate's sentence is not to deter others from "getting drunk and hitting people"! Abbate's sentence is supposed to punish him for a prolonged, brutal attack on a woman half his size. Community service, probation, a curfew and community service is not sufficient punishment for the hell he has put this young woman through. - E. Pannier

Cops getting off lite is nothing new.They think they are above the law. anyone else that did this would be facing years in prison. justice? yah, for cops. - Demo

I think our courts in Chicago need to be audited. The sentence is disgustingly light. He's a white cop and the sentence was based on his job position and color. If he was black and\or not a police officer he would have definitely received the maximum sentence. By the way, I am a white female and have empathy for the bartenders who's safety meant so little to our judicial system. Words can't describe my disgust in regards to his light sentence and his repulsive actions. - Linda Zwiesler

You are not supposed to hit girls-assh... Where are we? In Nazi times Poland or are we in America? I hope the bartender gets 1 million dollars!!! - Garry

A typical Chicago police trial the fix was in!!!!!!!!!! - Don Wagner

Are they blind??? This guy probably kicks sick dogs and & old ladies to the curb &where were the people to help this young woman---?? Standing & watching!!!!!This so-called public servant should be fired!!!!Also the jail term sounds good too. To keep our streets safe without that cop and invite those to join him, who merely watched this disgusting beating of a helpless young woman & people wonder why cops are not respected. - Linda

It's very sad when the people who are supposed to protect us become the crooks who are immune to a real justice. This is a total abuse of power and proof of a corrupt system. – Jeffrey

What is wrong with the judge so it goes to show if you have a badge you get out of everything and a boy i mean boy... Can hit a woman a get off with a slapp on the hand they say money talk b.s. walks how true is that – Shannon

I was stunned by the sentence. Letting Abbate off without jail time shows Chicago is not a civilized place and has a different justice system for cops than for other citizens. – Edward McKinley

Disgusting, plain and simple. The only justice here is that the entire Chicagoland area knows his face and he will be recognized as the dirtbag that he is and a complete disgrace to the city of Chicago and their police department. Doubtful that he had a chance at a date before this, but good luck getting one now. – Stephanie

Just another reason why the olympics will NOT be held in Chicago in 2016. – Bob

Forget Abbate. The judge should be thrown out. By the way, I'm kidding, throw Abbate as well. – Jay Gregg

I'm a Chicago Police officer and I was appalled at Abbate's behavior. Even though his actions weren't committed as a police officer, he's a thug. I personally believe he should be fired for his conduct. I have seen other defendant's get less punishment for more serious offenses so the court punishment may be appropriate. But I also believe a police officer should be held to a higher standard. I have no use for officers who think they have the badge and can get away with anything. As far as his "self-defense" defense, I can't imagine what he had to fear from that small female bartender. – Steve

Can federal charges be brought against him? Also, remember the so-called judge come election time!! – Shakeela Muhammad

I'm appalled at yet another Chicago cop getting off the hook with just a slap on the wrist. This only shows the general public that there is a double standard, one for them and one for us. If one of us beat anyone like this women got beat we'd be in prison for a long time. Chicago...the city of CORRUPTION! – Mark

Probation??? if it was any ordinary citizen we would be locked up.and of course we still have to pay his salary.. laws should be for all, not just some. – Gale Padgurskis

It was the perfect scenario for injustice....he was a Chicago policeman and she WASN'T a dog! – mike

Right now, having just watched the video tape of the drunk, overweight policeman beat-up the female bartender and hearing the judge's verdict, I sit with a twisted stomach and almost into tears, my chief concern is the injustice of our courts when city officials/employees are involved. Is this another Peterson? Is there a dim witted female out there who will "understand" his tortured soul? Are the police proud of him, after all he is one of there all? What about the other policemen who came to the 911 call? What is their portrayal of the incident? What do John's parents think of him? Does John have a wife, a sister? If yes, can they stand behind this man? I am so overwhraught at this moment I could throw up. I am 66 and a woman and now would be afraid to call 911. Or my mind jumps, should I call 911 if I have an occassion when a policeman would pull me over in traffic? God help us all. – Vicki

That "Pig" should be in jail. What is the name of the judge that doesn't punish brutes that beat women. – Nora

A typical Chicago police trial the fix was in!!!!!!!!!! – Don Wagner

It's sadly just another incident in which people of rank and fame in this nation get away with horrifying behaviors. Real justice will prevail not only when Anthony Abbate apologizes to the victim, but when he is let go from the police force as well. - Jesse Rubly

Are you kidding? The Chicago Police Department should throw him right out, today! He is making a laughing stock of Chicago Police Officers who are good men who defend our safety. What kind of a man beats up a female? Someone with a huge drinking problem and angry problem. Let him dig ditches for all we care. Please!!! There are so many good people who could use a job as a Chicago Police Officer and make our city proud. We teach our children that a policeman is our friend and we should go to them for help. Please, do what's right and get him out of Chicago! Concerned citizen. PS I've never written in with my opinion on anything until now. - Ellen Jacobsen

I guess the only way you can get away with breaking the law is to be a Chicago cop. Is this guy related to the judge? - John Vogelsberg

Something is definitely wrong with the System, there's a glitch in the Matrix it must be fixed not patched up. - Jesse

The fix was obviously in. Another case of what law and justice are two very different things. He should have done some jail time, preferably with a psychotic cellmate twice his size. - Patrick Butler

This is a travesty. Did the judge see that film. Perhaps this animal will next attack a member of the judge's family. See if there are aggravating factors then! - B. Kearns

He's a criminal, protected by criminals, in a city run by criminals! - Ming

The cops that beat the men in a bar and now this. This is a 2 tier "justice' system and this judge should be thrown off the bench. The lame excuses these judges gave for probation, provoked by words and people get drunk and fight. If an ordinary citizen did this they would be severely punished for both incidents. Oh and by the way this was not a fight it was an attack on a defenseless woman. Supt. Weis must fire this man and refer this case to the feds. - Ron Miller

I think the jerk should have gotten some time in jail...he is a menace to society and doesn't deserve to get probation...that is a slap on the wrist!!!! Surely he deserves more than what he got!!!! - Madi

The judge that gave Anthony Abbate 2 years probation for beating that female bartender should be removed from the bench. If the beating she sustained was from her husband he would be in jail. This very light sentencing leaves the door open for any law enforcement person to beat up people because they won't get any jail time. I hope the voters do not re-elect this judge. I'm sure there are many others that share my opinions on this case. - Paula Thomas

STINKS... what did you expect from a POLICEMAN IN CHICAGO! - Glory OskiZero

I think the sentence was ridiculous. He should have gotten jail time. Her life will never be the same and his will not change at all. Our justice system failed this young woman. This bully deserves a beating like the one he gave this poor woman. Maybe he would like something like this to happen to his mother or sister or wife! - Renee

A complete and utter joke. I hope people are keeping track of these judges who keep letting crooked cops and politicians walk. Between all our politicans and judges, there's never been a better time to put term limits on these people. – Kevin Casey

He SHOULD have been given jail time. The judge was way tooo lenient with this bully, who threatened people at the bar, including the woman bartender he beat up. Guess the police still get special treatment from the judges in Chicago. Remember Judge Fleming when he seeks reelection. We need to clean up our court system NOW. – Bobbi Walker

Typical Chicago justice. Absolutely sickening. Chicago needs to remove EVERY single judge and police officer from the force and start ALL OVER, because what we have now is in no way shape or form, any kind of justice at ALL. I wonder if the judge would have the same ruling if the bartender that got beat down was HIS daughter or wife? I think NOT! – John Steele

That's bull he should be kicked off the force and should have gotten prison time. I wonder how much his lawyer had to give the judge. Its sad that policeman have their own laws. – d.brown

This is really unbelievable. Your website had 4 leading stories about cops today. A slap on the hand for a drunken police officer who beat up a woman. What is the deterrent to stop this kind of abuse by the very people we hire to protect us. Are you kidding me that their is a procedure to get rid of this guy? – Angie

He's a cop in Chicago. I was surprised he was found guilty in the first place. He won't be held accountable. The cops never are. Real tight union and they think they are above the law. JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF "SAME OLD, SAME OLD" IN THE POLICE WORLD! – Gregory Loots

All it says is that our justice system truely has some issues. If that would've been a civilian they would have received a more harsh sentence. Outraged is what I am. – Ericka

the whole incident is a shame and disgraced. this jerk should have been sentenced to the max and the judge should be removed from the bench – joe cook

I think it is appalling. He, being a man of professional standards, he should and probably did know better that in his condition that night ,he knew what he was doing. He should have gotten some jail time, then all the rest of the fines and such. If it were me, being a woman, I would have shot him. – Tracy

Another example of taking care of their own. Another proud day for the City of Chicago. – Kevin Koehler

Shameful!! This Judge should no longer hold this position. Until we crack down on violence, such as Abbate and Chris Brown, young boys grow up with the knowledge they can do anything they want to a woman and not get punished. – Linda Martin

This is BS!!!!!!!! What if it would have been the other way around? What if it was some one bigger than him would have done that to him? that person would have gotten a long prison term and no bond!!! – JS

It shows a cop can get away with almost anything and just get a wrist slap. Anyone else would have gotten prison time. – Jill

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